After five hours consisting of public comment, a long presentation from National Grid lawyers and witnesses, more witnesses from the PUC and finally a presentation from Lt. Governor Daniel McKee stressing the importance of alternative electricity providers, the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved National Grid’s requested 53 percent electricity rate increase.

“What we heard today clearly is that the energy burden that is experienced by many in Rhode Island tears at the social fabric of our state,” said Abigail Anthony, on her first day as a commissioner on the PUC. “And the tools that we have to manage the rate increases proposed in this filing – energy efficiency, switching to a competitive supplier – we must acknowledge that those are not enough to help the most vulnerable customers.

“But- the decision that is before the Commission today is much more specific…”

Margaret Curran

And so did the new commissioner, recently appointed by Governor Gina Raimondo and highly regarded as a renewable-energy advocate, find herself in complete agreement with commissioners Marion Gold and Margaret Curran in authorizing an electric rate increase, from around 6 cents per kilowatt hour to just over 9 cents.

The other options available to the PUC, laid out by Commission Chair Curran, were to deny the increase or to spread the increase out over a longer period of time. Both were rejected by the PUC.

“I think that both of those options are bad,” said Curran. “I think they would be very deleterious to ratepayers were we to do either.

Marion Gold

“First, if we were to reject the rate increase, National Grid could go to court and under the law that’s in place National Grid is entitled to recover their costs of the energy that they provide to their customers. So it would just mean that something would be tied up in court for who knows how long. National Grid would surely prevail and ratepayers would then have whatever the current rates were plus all of the rates that were not put in place, all lumped together in the bill. That would be a much worse hardship.”

As for spreading out the increase over a longer period of time, “We did in fact do that in 2014,” said Curran. “And that worked out well at that time, relying on the forecasts that were available… Going forward it [then] appeared that prices were going to be at least stable, if not perhaps lower. And we were lucky. We turned out to be correct on that.

“I think we’ve heard a lot of evidence today that prices are likely to go up. They are not likely to remain stable for the next year or two or to fall. And so, putting off this request, I don’t think would be of benefit to the ratepayers because the favorable conditions that made that work out previously are simply not present at this time.”

Governor Raimondo wasn’t officially happy with the PUC’s decision. In a statement she wrote that, “Hard-working, middle class Rhode Island families need relief. I am disappointed that Rhode Islanders’ electricity bills will be going up this winter. I call on regulators, Grid and consumer advocates to work together to ensure that Rhode Island families have access to clean, reliable and affordable electricity… This rate increase will create uncertainty for many Rhode Island families and seniors who live on fixed incomes. In the months ahead, I will direct our regulators to complete a comprehensive review of the utility companies’ rates and ensure that Rhode Island consumers are paying a fair rate and not a penny more.”

Pauline Belal

Raimondo’s call for a “comprehensive review” of National Grid is a bit of political theater. National Grid has already filed with the PUC for a full rate case in November. National Grid will be seeking changes in the rate structure, essentially asking for substantial changes in the way they get paid. Lawyers and stakeholders from across the political spectrum and representing a variety of interests will be heavily involved in the process, hoping to shape what PUC Commissioner Marion Gold called the “energy system of the future.”

In fact, at the PUC hearing Curran suggested that the hours of public commentary that concerned itself with the social costs of high energy prices and concerns about climate change might be more relevant to November’s rate case. She encouraged those in attendance to bring their concerns to that hearing.

“I want to compliment all of the people who gave public comment,” said Curran. “I think that it was a very impressive presentation from all of the people who spoke. There were reasoned and very well though out comments and I think that I speak for my fellow commissioners that it was very moving in many respects.”

“The stories are really compelling and we are listening really, really hard,” said Gold. “I think it affected all of us. I think we don’t pay attention to the every day Rhode Islanders and the impacts energy rates have on their businesses and homes at our peril and we’re really committed to doing everything we can both within the state and regionally…”

Though Curran may have been moved by the testimony and Gold found the testimony compelling, neither were moved or compelled any more than Anthony to help Rhode Island resident Pauline Belal. In June she had her electricity and gas turned off. Belal said that National Grid refused to recognize her medical protection order, which would have prevented a shut off. Over the course of less than one year Belal had three surgeries and her husband suffered a heart attack, causing a financial disaster for her family.

Addressing National Grid’s lawyers directly, Belal said, “Your millions of dollars in profit is a difference of my $20 a month. You’re asking for $20. I’m asking you to take the $20 and eat it. Just put it down, wait another six months, wait another year, so the people in the State of Rhode Island, the average person in Rhode Island, can get on their feet…

“I am your average citizen,” said Belal to the PUC. “I am asking that you please deny this increase. You will literally put me on the street.”

After the PUC made their decision for National grid and against people like Pauline Belal, a woman in the audience said, “For shame!”

Here are the rest of the speakers. Some of the speakers were amazing. Among my favorites were videos numbered 4, 16, 19 and 23. At the very end is video of the full hearing.

First up is Cranston Mayor Allan Fung. He called the electric rate increase “outrageous.”

Representative Aaron Regunberg (Democrat, District 4, Providence) presented the PUC with a petition signed by over 600 Rhode Islanders asking the PUC to reject the National Grid’s increase.

Gael Tadded suggested that the state buy out National Grid, eliminating the British company from Rhode Island entirely.

Kat Burnham of People’s Power and Light.

Colin Nagle

Suzanne Dumas

Douglas-Gablinski was there representing TEC-RI, Rhode Islanders for Affordable Energy and the Rhode Island Business Coalition. Gablinske argues for the need for fossil fuel burning infrastructure in Rhode Island.

The Acadia Center‘s Erika Niedowski

Camilo Viveiros of the George Wiley Center.

Representative Robert Lancia (Republican, District 16, Cranston)

Kate Schapira

Allan Fung and Douglas Gablinski

Allan Fung

Aaron Regunberg

Chloe Chassaing

Gael Tadded

Pauline Belal

Kat Burnham

Colin Nagle

Suzanne Dumas

Michael McElroy

Douglas Gablinski

Erika Niedowski

Camilo Viveiros

Robert Lancia

Kate Schapira

Pat Morgan (right)

National Grid’s lawyers

Daniel McKee

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Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast)

Unmoved by public testimony, PUC approves 'outrageous' National Grid rate increase, 10.0 out of 10 based on 1 rating

Articles in this series

Steve Ahlquist is an award-winning journalist, writer, artist and founding member of the Humanists of Rhode Island, a non-profit group dedicated to reason, compassion, optimism, courage and action. The views expressed are his own and not necessarily those of any organization of which he is a member.

His photos and video are usable under the Creative Commons license. Free to share with credit.

"We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” - Elie Weisel

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor." - Desmond Tutu

"There comes a time when neutrality and laying low become dishonorable. If you’re not in revolt, you’re in cahoots. When this period and your name are mentioned, decades hence, your grandkids will look away in shame." - David Brooks

As far as I can tell its all just sounding off with opponents offering only outrage and wishful thinking. And the lead paragraph of noting a 53% increase in “electricity costs” is misleading as the increase only applies to a fraction of the total electricity bill, the cost of generation.
This has little to do with profits of National Grid which does not generate electricity, but they do maintain the grid on which they transmit the power. If the rice of power generated rises, it has to be paid for one way or another. It is no solution to let the grid degrade, that will just lead to unreliability and higher expenses in the future, we’ve been down that road with our roads where similarly motorists and truckers didn’t want to pay the increased costs either.
Fundamentally, for lower prices we need lower costs of generation. Renewable energy is not necessarily a solution as we all heard that Deepwater off-shore wind is coming in at about 3 times the costs of conventional power.
I do have some suggestions: reduce costs by going back to bimonthly billing that would cut those processing costs in half (similar for water and sewer bills which recently went from quarterly to monthly) establish low cost “lifeline” rates for those who use relatively little electricity even if raises rates for high level of consumption – that would give low income users who limit consumption a chance to save as well as encourage and reward conservation; subsidize efficiency programs more aggressively to reduce demand – which from laws of supply and demand can help reduce prices.

This is all theater. Specifically opera. National Grid, BFFs with Invenergy, Spectra, Energy Transfer Partners, blah blah blah. This is the Fossil Fuel Cartel (FFC) people. The rate hike, so sadly disruptive and unfair to the folks in attendance according to the 3 PUC commissioners is the justification for the hoped for (by the FFC) approval from the EFSB of the Clear River Energy Center in Burrillville, a fracked gas burning behemoth that will destroy the forests, wildlife, birds, recreational areas, roads, peace of mind of residents, the beautiful quiet, and the environment of Burrillville and the all of the NW corner of RI. And really the whole region is at risk, and beyond.

The rate hike is bullshit but it will be used to promise lower rates to consumers if CREC is built which is nothing but a HUGE lie. Shame on National Grid for being such assholes. Shame on the commissioners for allowing themselves to be pushed around by the FFC and the other shadow people out there, ruining everything for a buck.

I met some people who work for National Grid recently. One man said, and this is an exact quote: You want to know what National Grid has done for me as an employee? Put me in therapy! I am now medicated for the first time in my life”. That’s just the kind of company they are. Good neighbors? Hell no!

The age of cheap energy is over, Thinking we can keep energy prices down is about like thinking that we can have rapid economic growth. it is a fantasy. Given the reality of the destructiveness of fossil fuel industries to our climate, air, and water there is no longer any excuses for buidling any new fossil fuel infrastructure, but we do have to admit that energy, especially in the quantities that modern societies use, is NOT going to be cheap. Focus on efficiency and use less energy while we switch to renewables.

I think you’re irresponsible, typical of the kind of advocate who tunes their method toward wealthy “philanthropist” donors. Prices for net zero houses at Sandywoods in Tiverton “start” at just a tad under $400,000. That’s the starting price in a real estate market that’s already beginning to heat up. For those who can’t afford those prices what will be the alternative under a regime like yours? Is micro apartment dormitory living your solution for the rest?

And, what about the older housing stock? How will people who hold mortgages be able to borrow on houses with lead paint and knob and tube wiring to be able to afford all the necessary upgrades to make their homes as energy efficient as you envision? If the banks won’t provide the loans because debt to income ratios are too high what happens to their property? How will they be affected by the current administrative moves toward devalorizing their property by effectively categorizing houses with lead paint, lead water service lines as toxic waste dumps and making any rewiring and energy retrofitting job impossible w/out totally gutting their properties, involving fairly complete rehabs? How many will have to short sell and face bankruptcies?

The donors to the non-profits around here will hardly be affected by any of the coming devaluation , some of which has already occurred. Some will profit handsomely. Some, with already deep pockets will have legislation passed and work deals where they will be subsidized by those most adversely affected. Unbridled capitalism is at the bottom of most of these issues but the Isle of Rhodes and Rhode Island Foundations non-profit juggernaut careens down the hill crushing all in its path. Non-profit profiteers are very reluctant to bite the hands that feed them.

The PUC is merely a “Rubber Stamp” organization. It really doesn’t serve any useful purpose other than to provide politicians with cover for their actions or inactions. The PUC just did the same thing with the new water rates. Utilities are just another form of taxation without any safeguards. Where is the “business” sense? Who ensures the bidding was done properly? Who checks if alternatives were sought? Is there any form of Price fixing among the providers that has been checked? The new MBA price fixing is done much differently than the old country club game. Is the PUC authorized to challenge and investigate? Do they have the resources? Does anyone on the board have the knowledge to challenge? Water Rate and now electric rate HUGE increases. Crony capitalism 2, taxpayers ZERO!.
For a bare knuckle fight over money they are true “Nothing Burgers!. Otherwise, I am sure, “Nice People”.

The needed lower costs of generation mentioned by Barry are on the way. The cost for generating capacity contracted by ISO New England in 2014, which is the cause the 53% increase in the “energy” side of our bills, have fallen steeply in the past two “Forward Capacity Auctions.” From the 2015 high, the settlement price fell 25% in 2016 and another 25% in this February’s auction. Where in 2014 there was a scarcity of generating capacity, there is now a surplus. While the price is not back to its 2013 figure, there is reason to believe it will take another dive in the 2018 auction. Capacity was so abundant in the February auction that not one new power plant project in New England secured a contract, including Invenergy. Shills for the industry like Mr. Gablinske play upon the public’s lack of knowledge about how power is procured and priced, and so their Chicken Little strategy of claiming we have a generating capacity shortage. If Invenergy is cancelled—which it deserves to be solely because of its outrageous location—the system will not miss its surplus power and the consumer will suffer no penalty. Incidently, 3.6 million tons of co2 per year will not be emitted into the atmosphere.